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"Mr. Calderon to Mr. Forsyth, 29th September, 1839, and translation." U.S. Congress. House. Africans Taken in the Amistad. 26th Congress., 1st sess., 1840.H. Doc. 185.
Mr. Calderon to Mr. Forsyth.
NUEVA YORK, 29 de Setiembre de 1839.
MUY SENOR MIO: A la hora misma de ir a embarcarme en el bote de Albany, con el obgeto
de pasar a poner en manos de S. E. el Senor Presidente mis recredenciales, y presentarle
a mi sucesor, el Senor Don Pedro Alcantara Argaiz, recibi la carta de V. S. de 23
del que expira, en la que me
pregunta si puso algunos otros docunentos autenticos, relativos al caso de la goleta
Amistad, que los hallados abordo de dicho buque, y actualmente depositados
en el tribunal de Counecticut, que entiende en este negocio.
[12]
En contestacion, me apresuro a manifestar a V. S. ahora que tengo tiempo para
ello, y bien que ya el tratar oficialmente de aquel caso incumba al Senor de Argaiz,
que no hay en poder de la legacion de S. M., documentos algunos mas que la declaracion
jurada de Montes y Ruiz; puesto que los papeles del buque, de cuya legitimidad no
parece haya motivo de dudar, estan en el tribunal mencionado; y aun no hay tiempo
para que halla llegado la noticia del suceso a la Habana.
Rogando a V. S. excuse mi involuntaria tardanza en contestarle, tengo la honra de
reiterarle las veras de mi mas alta consideracion y personal aprecio.
A. CALDERON DE LA BARCA.
Honorable JOHN FORSYTH,
Secretary of State.
________
Mr. Calderon to Mr. Forsyth.
[TRANSLATION]
NEW YORK, September 29,1839.
SIR: At the very hour in which I was about to embark in the steamboat Albany,
for the purpose of placing my credentials in the hands of his excellency the President,
and of presenting to him my successor Don Pedro de Alcantara Argaiz, I received your
letter of the 23d instant, in which you ask me whether I possess any other authentic
documents relative to the case of the schooner Amistad, besides those found
on board the said vessel, and now deposited in the court of Connecticut, which takes
cognizance of that affair.
In reply, I hasten to assure you, now that I have time for that purpose, although
the official conduct of that case belongs to Senor Argaiz, that there are not in
the possession of the legation of Her Majesty any documents, besides the declaration
on oath of Montes and Ruiz; inasmuch as the papers of the vessel, of the lawfulness
of which there appears to be no reason for doubt, are in the court above mentioned;
and there is as yet not time enough for the news of the occurrence to have reached
Havana.
I entreat you, sir, to excuse my involuntary delay in replying to you, and I have
the honor of repeating to you the assurances of my high consideration and personal
esteem.
A. CALDERON DE LA BARCA.
Honorable JOHN FORSYTH
Secretary of State.
